Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Bluestone Lane



Subject: Bluestone Lane
Location: Manhattan, NY [Bryant Park shop]
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]


Update 11/14/17
In the past few years, Bluestone has started roasting their own coffee amidst their expansion, moving towards a darker roast as a default. 


If there's a continent that seems to burst so much with coffee love that it begins to take over other continents, it's Australia. Having been to both various Aussie operations in the UK as well as in the States, I stand amazed at how much their cup runneth over into foreign lands. And unlike the outposts of many other countries, Australians seems to sincerely love and produce high quality and delicious coffee.



The newest Aussie-inspired coffee outfit to my eyes is Bluestone Lane, a multi-location coffeehouse that specializes in down under coffee in the Big Apple. Arriving early, I found the sun shining down on the glass-walled shop. Despite its petite footprint, the inside felt like it had a ton space for (eagerly) waiting patrons as well as a few handfuls of stools by the many windows.


The coffee used is varied. For their espresso, Bluestone utilizes Australian roaster Niccolo, while the coffee they use for filter coffee comes from the San Francisco treat named Sightglass. Hence I ordered an espresso of Niccolo's sole offering and a drip of the Blueboon Blend from Sightglass. The espresso, pulled short with brown crema, emanated lemon, chocolate, salted kale, sage and parsley, making for a smooth, balanced and slightly salty infusion. The Blueboon also came out deliciously, singing of honey, wheat, spinach, caramel, dry cherry, apple and a little arugula in a light/medium body.


All together, I found their coffee to be a beautiful representation of Aussie coffee and of the quality things one can more and more expect of a Manhattan coffeehouse. If you're on the hunt for some great coffee, it's most definitely worth a stop at one of their locations peppered throughout the city. And speaking of pepper, if you seek a great avocado smash, this is the place to get it (I liked mine with tomato).

Set sails for Bluestone Lane.




These wonderful folks made this visit possible in part. Make sure to check them out!


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